Third Twenty Fifth

Every word can be explained by numbers. Every story can be summarized by counting. Ten years ago, two people learned that they both exist. But it didn't matter. A year after, they learned to recognize each other's faces. Still, nothing mattered.

Two years after their first meeting, other people noticed them and they also began to notice the other. One year later, they established friendship; though, it could have been more than that. He gave her a poem, sang Why can't it be? for her, and teased her that someday he's gonna marry her. All she replied was a smile. But behind those lips was a dying wish to tell him that the poem is quite mushy, but melted her heart; that it can be; and that she dreams for that someday to come.

Sadly, the stars didn't conspire to meet their wishes. Instead, these heavenly bodies guided the two of them to meet other people. Thus, the next two years was a break. The only consolation for that was the fact that they didn't miss each other. Perhaps, they both understood that they couldn't be. Suddenly, the world decided to make some adjustments and agreed for some compromises. It allowed the two people who met two years ago experience heartaches and meet again.

On the twenty fifth of this month that year, they found the chance to cross the line. And it was amazing. There were bad days, of course. But the whole thing was amazing, nonetheless. Theirs didn't follow a 10-commandent, you-shouldn't-do-this-or-that list. They were the same two people who had chosen to be just friends a few years back. They simply added some prefixes to the word "friend" for the sake of labels. But after a year, the prefixes slowly detached themselves from the rootword. And so were the feelings. And so were the presence. So, by the start of the eight year after their first meeting, they drifted apart. She didn't feel bitter about it. But she was hurt. He didn't feel bitter about it. But he ached. She thought that she was thankful that they are over. He thought that he was thankful that they are not yet over.

The next year was another break. They remained friends. It was an agreement right from the start. He knew how she had been doing. She knew how he had been feeling. It was a fair play. He liked another girl but regreted losing her. She liked another guy but still thought of him. On the twenty fifth of the eleventh month of that year, they greeted each other with the same greetings that they had said the past year. They kept it that way. Talking as if everything was fine. Thinking about the future as if it was clear. Seeing the other as if the other was there. Everything was subtle, unspoken, and plain.

After a year, things seemed to be better than what they were the last year. He came back to that line, waiting for and expecting her to do the same. She said no, afraid that everything appears only good at the start. He insisted. Still, she said no. But it didn't matter. It didn't affect the way how things have become. It has rather made things better. It has opened possibilities. It has helped them see through things. They have become transparent to one another.

One day, he said the words that she has learned to avoid. She deliberately ignored the supposed form of acknowledgment. He understood, but that didn't stop him from saying them. Every conversation has ended with them. Saying them has become his habit. Hearing them has become hers. On the twenty fifth of this month this year, she has given him a book that carries all the answers to his doubts. The twenty fifth of this month this year has been similar to the twenty fifth of this month two years ago.

Amazing.

*****
It is a children's book called GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU. She saw it almost two years ago. And since then, she has promised that one day she's gonna buy and give it to someone (of course, not expecting that it would be him).